Barr says drinkers won’t notice Irn-Bru change

The manufacturer of Irn-Bru has reassured fans of the soft drink that the taste will not be affected when its reduced sugar recipe is introduced.

Consumers are said to be stockpiling the drink ahead of AG Barr’s intention to halve its normal sugar content from this month.

A “Hands off our Irn Bru” petition has attracted more than 6,000 signatures.

Ryan Allen, who has launched the campaign to save the traditional recipe, said: “It is a national treasure in Scotland and really is part of our culture with its unique taste, branding and marketing.

“Don’t do it Barr – please have a rethink on this.”

The recipe was introduced by AG Barr in 1901 and is reputed to act as a hangover cure. Barr has been making plans to cope with the introduction an anti-obesity sugar tax by the UK government, due to be introduced in April.

The reduction in Irn-Bru’s sugar content from 8.5 teaspoons to four will mean that can will contain 65 calories against the current 140.

An AG Barr spokesman said: “From January 2018 Irn-Bru will continue to be made using the same secret Irn-Bru flavour essence, but with less sugar. The vast majority of our drinkers want to consume less sugar so that’s what we’re now offering.

“We ran lots of taste tests that showed most people can’t tell the difference – nine out of 10 regular Irn-Bru drinkers told us we had a good or excellent taste match.”